Beijing

Beijing, China

It's on the cutting edge of Chinese history and culture.

Its history began over 3000 years ago, and it was from here the Central Kingdom was ruled for over 8 centuries. Regal palaces, emperors'playgrounds and stellar temples speak volumes of the city's past glory.

But make no mistake –Beijing is not chained to its past. It has been moving forward fast to its future exactly like the rest of the country marooned in the jangle of modernity. It has everything expected of a bustling international metropolis. Modern icons frame the skyline. Streets are soaked in neon lights. Bars draw a large contingent of after-work regulars and nightlife mavens. Cars whizz past or get stuck bumper to bumper on roads. Residents shell out on edgy designer items.

Beijing has no shortage of natural attractions in its outskirts which provide a delightful escape from the urban grind. Fragrance Hill is quite an eyeful with crimson leaves on display in autumn. Yuyuantan is an oasis of calm amidst the urban hustle and bustle. Geological parks are great for those on the lookout for a jaunt into the wild.

Welcome to the capital of China!

Welcome to Beijing!

See and Do

• The Forbidden City

  Of course forbidden –it was off-limits to common folks, but that's a thing of the past. Now, visitors throng the ground. The former home of 24 Sons of the Heaven of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) is the world's largest and best preserved imperial complex. Behind its imposing vermillion walls is an intricate matrix of 999 buildings, vast courtyards and corridors and a true treasure trove of millions of paintings, calligraphic works, western clocks, ceramics and books. The 1911 Revolution led by the Sun Yat-sen toppled Qing court and dynastic China's last emperor was shown the door, leaving the Forbidden City for good.

• The Great Wall

  “Hike up the Great Wall and be a real man!”

  It was built to keep out the outsiders, but ironically it's now a magnet for visitors from around the world. It traces its origins to the Warring States period of the 5th century BC, when different states built their own earthen fortifications to ward off invaders. In 221 BC, the first emperor Qinshihuang Di of the Qin dynasty linked the different sections, which became what is known today as the Great Wall. It's a genuine ancient engineering marvel. The mighty rocky dragon climbs hills and snakes its way across the treacherous terrain for 6000 kilometers, plunging into the far-flung deserts of the west and the churning waves of the east. Its watchtowers loom above the landscape – no, above China.

• Imperial Gardens

  Beijing is peppered with imperial gardens, which are part and parcel of the city’s historic persona. From imperial playgrounds like Beihai (North Lake), Nanhai (South Lake), Qianhai (Front Lake), Xihai (West Lake) and Houhai (Back Lake) in the heart of Beijing, the Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan (Gardens of Perfect Brightness) in the western outskirts and Nanyuan (South Garden) in the southern outskirts, to sites like the Temple of Heaven, Ditan (Altar of the Earth), Ritan (Altar of the Sun), Yuetan (Altar of the Moon), Xiannongtan (Altar of the Ancestral Farmers) where emperors prayed for harvest on behalf of the entire kingdom – now they are all public parks.

• Hutong

  Consistently lined with courtyard homes, Hutong, or backstreets, are the swansong of the “Peking” of the days gone by. They have shaped old Peking's cityscape and way of life. The neighborhood of Shichahai is the best place to explore a hutong. You can wander half a day off or bum around on a three-wheeled rickshaw for a lowdown on how the locals were living their life.

• Jingju

  Jingju, a traditional stage show also known as Peking Opera, has been classified as a national treasure. Jingju tells stories from Chinese ancient classics, keeping the locals entertained for centuries. Most Jingju venues are located in Dashilan, Qianmen close to the broiling expanse of the Tiananmen Square. Join the locals for a Peking Opera performance with tea sipping and seed-creacking.

  
  
  
• Food

  Beijing serves up delicious, authentic representations of the local gastronomic tradition. Beijing Duck is baked to a savory crisp and pleases palates. Fresh and tender meat comes piping hot in a wok called Hotpot. Toothsome street foods make your mouth water, with Douzhi'r (fermented soybean milk), Aiwowo (steamed rice bun with sweet fillings), Wandouhuang (pea cake), Ludagun (pastry made with soybean flour), Baodu (stir-fried stripes) and Chaogan (fried liver) being among the standouts.